Google Maps now tells you where to find an Uber ride, which lane to drive in

Do you use Uber? Then you’ll probably like the latest update to Google Maps.

Google made a number of big changes to its Maps app for iOS and Android this morning, including integration with Uber. Now, users will be able to see how far away an Uber vehicle is when looking for directions and can access the Uber app with one click.

This new feature is particularly interesting because Google Ventures, the venture capital arm of Google, invested $258 million in Uber this past August — perhaps that’s why you aren’t seeing a similar feature for Uber’s competitors like Lyft or Sidecar.

Google Maps will also now tell you which lane to get into as you head to a destination, a feature meant to keep drivers from missing important turns. In addition, Google made it easier to view alternate routes while you drive.

There’s another new feature that allows users to save maps for offline use. You can label separate maps and then access them without an Internet connection later on. Google also added new filtering options, like price range and user rating, for restaurants, bars, hotels, and more. Finally, there are improved ways to search for public transit information and view places saved on Google Maps across all devices.

Taylor Soper is a GeekWire staff reporter who covers a wide variety of tech assignments, including emerging startups in Seattle and Portland, the sharing economy and the intersection of technology and sports. Follow him @taylor_soper and email taylor@geekwire.com.

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Comments

Excellent! As an Uber customer, I thank Google for helping make my life easier. This is what happens when the men who say “no” step aside, letting innovators do what they do best.

Forrest Corbett

“There’s another new feature that allows users to save maps for offline use.”

Technically, that’s not new. It was there for a while, then they took it out about a year ago, IIRC.

ClaimsAdjuster

Google is giving favorable placement to Uber because it has investments in the company. Sounds like an ant-trust violation.

Kary

I finally got the update and I can’t believe the poor reporting. This is a major upgrade and takes back some of the horrible changes they made with the last upgrade. You can not toggle easier to a wide screen view to see traffic. When you do that you no longer lose your ETA information (and ETA now shows that and time of arrival and miles–you no longer have to pick one). And now there’s a link to find alternative routes while you’re routing (although I haven’t figured out how that works yet). Uber has little to do with thus update, but Google’s investment in that company apparently influenced their press release greatly.